Angel in glass globe - How to shoot.

[Athas_orm]

My wife has the following object which I think would make a great object to focus.

Its glass sphere which has an angel made of bubbles inside. It comes on a little square glass base which is coloured at the top. So looking down from above the sphere has a pleasing green glow to it. (Especially If I shine a torch into the base).

The following photograph is for illustrative purposes only. What I'm really curious about is how to get the best photograph of the object.



So how would I get the best photograph of this? Personally I like the shots from above for the colour that they turn the sphere but... I think having the base visible adds for much nicer composition.

I was thinking it may be nice to get some specular hilights on the surface of the sphere.

So generally, what do you think I could do to get the best out of this. I've more or less disregarded flash photography.

Would a really narrow DOF help and just focus on the angel itself. Or slightly wider and get the entire globe? How about background just plain white and let it speak for itself. Or something of intrest that the globe itself could act as a lens to. (Should give an upside down image I guess as its just a very convex lens to my reckoning)

What lighting etc.

I'm just looking for suggestions. I know theres no right way to take something like this. I'm just trying to understand the thought process that some people would put into something like this.

Thanks for your patience, within this wall of text.

Wes

[MrBeta]

I'd give this a shot.

Light tent
How to Make An Inexpensive Light Tent – DIY

Lighting Macro
Strobist: On Assignment: Shoot Your Shiny New Gizmo Like a Pro

Specular Highlights
Strobist: Lighting 102: Unit 2.2 - Specular Highlight Control

As far as the aperture, you might just have to experiment. You might try anywhere from F1.8-5ish Depending on your lenses.
Good luck

[Athas_orm]

Thanks Mr Beta,

Taking a look at those links now. I missed the notification on this thread.